One of the best delights of a trip through the villages of Luberon is experiencing her magical local markets laden with Provençal products. Local markets offer a glimpse into the true heart and soul of the countryside offering a wide variety of products such as lavender sachets, handwoven baskets and linens, flowers, wine, produce and other regional specialties that are renown to the region.
During our April road trip through the perched villages of Luberon, I was instantly drawn to the markets as an ideal place to buy the perfect gift for friends and capture the real essence of Provence.
Beautiful handmade lotions and creams from Provence.
Many of the towns throughout Luberon have their own local markets, however, the best market we found was in the perched village of Gordes. Every Tuesday morning, local vendors set up their colorful stalls around the castle at the center of the village, offering a wide variety of eye-catching delights. You can stroll through the open-air market and sample french cheeses, local wines and sausages while perusing the gorgeous tables of handmade linens, soaps, baskets and clothing. It is a wonderful place to spend a morning and then grab lunch at one of Gordes many outdoor cafes.
Here are some of the beautiful things we saw at the magical market in Gordes.
A lovely collection of French handwoven baskets caught my eye. Of course I had to bring one home.
There were also rows and rows of beautiful, fragrant Provencal soap.
My favorite find at the Provencal markets were the handwoven table lines and towels. They were brightly colored, in beautiful hues and I couldn’t resist buying some to cheer up my home. If only I had a bigger suitcase!
Handwoven Provencal Table Runners
Handwoven Provencal kitchen towels.
Then came the perfect gift. The rows of colorful Lavender sachets. These were inexpensive and a hit with my friends and family back home.
Provencal Lavender Sachets
There were all so pretty that it was hard to choose which ones to buy.
All good markets must have a fresh produce from the countryside.
Fresh French Peas
Bitter Endive
Onions
And of course the mouth watering fromage and saucisson.Luckily there were plenty of free samples.
I love cheese and went a little bit crazy sampling the different kinds.
Next of course are the amazing colorful spices many which compliment Provençal cuisine. My favorites and must-buys included Herbes de Provence and a special spice to put on top of cheese for making Salade au Chèvre Chaud (a delicious hot goat cheese salad common in Provence).
Any kind of fresh spice imaginable
There were too many delicious preserves to choose from. I loved them all but sadly I didn’t have room in my suitcase.
Lovely hanging flowers that decorated the town.
If you go
Check out The Luberon.com for details on the Gordes market.
Also make sure you bring a big suitcase as you are bound to buy a lot!
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And THAT is why I dream of living there.
Gorgeous photos.
Thanks so much! Me too! Someday I’d like to live in France again.
Shows what a busy year you’ve had, Nicole. These delightful images have been lurking in your computer all this time. 🙂
Thanks Jo! Too busy quite frankly but life will calm down by the fall. I still have pictures and stories left to share from that April trip!
Your gorgeous photos make me want to go back NOW! 🙂
Thanks Madhu! I can’t wait to see your posts on France!
The European markets are inspirational. While I attend a Farmer’s Market every week, it doesn’t come anywhere close to the haven of goods and products served in places such as you depict. Well done.
Thanks so much! I love markets in other countries. We have farmers markets here too but no where near the stuff I’ve seen around the world. Especially the spices!
These photos are eye popping!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Amazing photos… And I can see why you were tempted to buy so much… Everything looks fantastic!
Thanks! It was a lovely market!
🙂
Gorgeous photos, Nicole – I felt I was there with you 🙂
Thanks Marianne! That is what I was aiming for! 🙂
These photos are beautiful, I love the colours!
Thanks so much! I went in April with my mom and sister (it was great as I lived in France 20 years ago so great to be back again). We had a wonderful time. Now I’m still going through the photos months later and trying to finish my posting! 🙂
Oh! If only you had a bigger suitcase! I wouldn’t know where to begin. Tantalizing photos. They make me want to buy and taste everything.
Thanks so much! Yes, and if only I had a fridge too for all the cheese!!!
Fabulous! And it is so nice to sleep with the smell of lavender!
Thanks so much! I have the lavender sachets all over my house. It is so calming.
Oh my goodness! I am wishing I was there right now! Beautiful photos!
Thanks so much! It is a wonderful place! 🙂
I just love your photos and your perspective, Nicole!
Thanks Jennifer! Just got back from Virginia and playing catch up. Nice to be home!
No matter where we are, we love to seek out the local markets and this one looks particularly divine. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn! It was gorgeous! 🙂
Reblogged this on UpperCrustHome and commented:
I can smell the fragrance from here!
Thanks so much for the reblog! I appreciate it! 🙂
What a gorgeous post, Nicole, bursting with colour and deliciousness. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your Provence experience. 🙂 Ailsa
Glad you enjoyed Ailsa! I love the South of France. It is a wonderful place!
I know, it’s been far too long since I visited. I’m hoping to get back to Europe sometime soon, pretty excited about revisiting familiar places and finding new ones. xxx
Nicole, I only just saw this post! I think I’ve missed a few of yours. It’s funny but my last post was about a Thai market so it’s really interesting to compare the different kinds of produce. Your French market is another world from my Thai one. I love your photos here but especially of all the herbs and spices!
SO cool! I saw your lovely post too and yes what a contrast between the markets! 🙂
I LOVE this, it’s so absolutely beautifully presented, so inviting and inspiring. I had forgot about Sachets, I haven’t seen them in so many years and yet they are so easy to make and functional. 🙂
Thanks so much! I still have my little lavender sachets in my closet and they smell so beautiful! 🙂
I used a spiced tea bag once to make my purse smell lovely….you’d think I would have remembered sachets then. Lol 🙂
What a beautiful place,I could imagine the freshness of market.I wish to visit this place !!!
Yes, it was really gorgeous and the market was superb! Wish we had something even remotely like it here!